Passenger Finds Air Marshal’s Loaded Gun In Bathroom

PHOTO: A rookie air marshal left one of these in the bathroom by mistake during a recent flight. (photo via Flickr/Robert Nelson)

This could have turned out way worse than it did.

A passenger on an international flight on Delta Air Lines found a loaded handgun in the bathroom but promptly gave it to a crewmember, who promptly returned it to its rightful owner.

A federal air marshal.

CNN reported that the rookie air marshal left her loaded weapon in the lavatory by mistake on a Delta flight from Manchester, England, to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The incident took place on April 6.

The agent, described as a relatively new hire, remains on duty despite the miscue. The TSA told CNN in a statement that it is aware of the circumstance and is conducting an investigation into what happened. A Delta spokesperson told the network the airline is also aware but declined to provide further comment.

CNN, quoting a former air marshal, said the woman “wasn’t given the appropriate tools to succeed” because newly hired marshals do not receive on-the-job training – something John Casaretti, president of the Air Marshal Association and a former air marshal, told CNN was true.

"These rare incidents must be thoroughly investigated and local managers should take appropriate corrective action," Casaretti said. "A field training officer program and thorough mentorship of new officers can reduce similar performance issues. Air marshals work in punishing conditions, labor under poor leadership and have seen their law enforcement functions curtailed by an administration that lacks vision. The problem is not the air marshals, it's the TSA.”

Comments

You may use your Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook information, including your name, photo & any other personal data you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on TravelPulse.com. Click here to learn more.